On a claim, ICD-10-CM primarily answers which question?
Answer choices
- AWhich supply vendor was used
- BHow many staff worked that day
- CWhich parking lot the patient used
- DWhy the patient needed care
About this question
On a claim, what question does ICD-10-CM primarily answer? Coding literacy for medical assistants is a frequent Administrative Assisting topic. Separating diagnosis codes from procedure codes prevents claim denials and supports accurate documentation. Read the wording and clinical context closely; those details determine the NHA CCMA competency being tested.
This practice question asks what ICD-10-CM represents on a claim. ICD-10-CM primarily answers why the patient needed care (the diagnosis or reason for encounter). CPT answers what was done. Do not treat ICD-10 as the procedure code set. Link “ICD = why, CPT = what” as a one-line memory cue. For what does icd 10 cm code on a claim, link the concept to the patient-safety or workflow consequence that makes the rule matter.
Reveal answer & explanationShow
Correct answer
- AWhich supply vendor was used
- BHow many staff worked that day
- CWhich parking lot the patient used
- DWhy the patient needed careCorrect
Basic rationale
ICD-10-CM reports why the patient needed care (diagnosis or reason for encounter).
Option explanations
- A: Incorrect. Which supply vendor was used is not the best choice for this scenario.
- B: Incorrect. How many staff worked that day is not the best choice for this scenario.
- C: Incorrect. Which parking lot the patient used is not the best choice for this scenario.
- D: Correct. ICD-10-CM reports why the patient needed care (diagnosis or reason for encounter).
Deep Analysis
Core logic
Diagnosis coding answers why; CPT answers what was done.
Distractor analysis
A: Not diagnosis coding. B: Not ICD purpose. C: Irrelevant.
Exam trap
Do not use CPT to explain the diagnosis reason.
Memory tip
ICD = why, CPT = what.
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